Never had a job and I feel resigned to the idea that I never will. I seem to be unemployable

UnemployableUKchap

I would like to provide some information regarding the circumstances which have led to me making this post. I am a 26 year old British national from England in the UK. There is no easy way to put this, but I have never been in employment. I live with my parents, who are on low incomes and approaching retirement age. I would rather not say where I am from specifically, but the area has some of the highest rates of unemployment and poor health outcomes in the country. Here are some pertinent details about my situation. I was diagnosed with Aspergers when I was 18. I left school at 16. I was fairly competent academically but struggled socially. I have had no friends since leaving school (I also had very few while I was there) and now rarely leave the house with the exception of medical appointments. These outings are rare, so it is not uncommon for me to go for months without leaving the house. I am not the type of person to go out spontaneously, or on a whim, without a specific reason to do so. As I am not in work and have no friends or family to visit, such reasons have become very thin on the ground. This situation has been ongoing for a number of years now. As I have no regular, sustainable income, I am having to depend on my parents financially. I don’t claim any benefits and never have.

I have explored a number of money-making ventures, but I have been unsuccessful in my efforts to find a way to generate a sustainable income from home. I've tried matched betting, comping and selling items on eBay. These are only useful as supplementary sources of income. Matched betting is good for a small, quick cash boost, but I found the profits dried up quickly after I completed the introductory free bet offers. Comping isn't reliable as you can go for months without winning anything of value, or anything at all. As for eBay, I typically only sell used games and the overwhelming majority of those are sold for a net loss. This leaves claiming benefits or finding a job as my only remaining options. The problem is, I seem to be fundamentally unemployable. I do not think it would be an exaggeration to state that I have a better chance of winning the lottery than landing the most menial, entry-level job possible. In addition to my aforementioned lack of experience and dismal people skills, I also have no references or work-related qualifications. I do not have BTECs, NVQs, A levels or any other vocational qualifications. I only have GCSEs, which don't appear to be enough on their own. I honestly feel that my job prospects are worse than people who have previously been in or are currently in prison. I have heard of people coming out of prison and essentially walking straight into jobs upon their release. I have also read stories online about people who have previously either been in prison, addicted to drugs or involved in various misdeeds, but are now working and thriving. While I recognise the benefit to society of these people returning to work instead of reoffending, I find it demoralising knowing that even they can find work but I can’t. I am also demoralised that there is not a solitary person alive in the country who will give me a reference - I am, in effect, a pariah.

Beyond the practical consequences of being out of work, I have also been struggling with the impact on my mental and emotional state. I recently read an article in the Daily Mail where the author stated that being in work fosters a person's feelings of self-respect, dignity and hope. I feel it's not a coincidence that I am out of work and find myself completely lacking in each of those things. I am also aware of independent research showing that people who are long-term unemployed are more likely to experience health issues including alcoholism, drug addiction and depression. They are also more likely to die before the national average life expectancy. I am absolutely bored out of my mind most days. I am usually up all night playing games and then asleep during the day. I would say it's the lack of purpose in everyday life that affects me most. I am tired of just going through the motions of daily life, essentially. I don't particularly want to claim ESA or UC due to how degrading it would be, but I am struggling to see any other viable options. I have read comments from people who have been on benefits and I was given the impression that the goal of DWP staff is to kick you off whichever benefit you're on as quickly as possible. They don't care if you actually find a job or not. Is this actually the case? What happens if you are sent for interviews, and you attend them, but subsequently fail to land a job? I would welcome any advice or perspective from people who work.

marliepanda

UnemployableUKchap wrote: »

I don't particularly want to claim ESA or UC due to how degrading it would be, but I am struggling to see any other viable options. I have read comments from people who have been on benefits and I was given the impression that the goal of DWP staff is to kick you off whichever benefit you're on as quickly as possible. They don't care if you actually find a job or not. Is this actually the case? What happens if you are sent for interviews, and you attend them, but subsequently fail to land a job? I would welcome any advice or perspective from people who work.

There is nothing degrading about claiming benefits.

The people who give that impression of DWP staff tend to be the ones who give the DWP every reason to kick them off. I have been out of work a few times in my life and claimed JSA. I have never been treated badly, I have never been kicked off my benefit (as I looked for jobs and attended appointments)

I also got advice from a career coach when I wanted to switch from a job I had done previously to see what options would be available to me with my qualifications, which got me into the job I am doing today and love.

NeilCr

Why not volunteer somewhere? That will give you some experience, get you used to being in a work type environment and looks good on your CV.

It also gets you out of the house and interacting with colleagues.

Sometimes (not a lot but it's worth saying) people get paid opportunities where they have been volunteering.

ohreally

Consider dipping a toe in the water with your local CAB regarding generalist advisor training.

shortcrust

Volunteering is a great idea. You'll get experience, something for the CV, perhaps a reference, a confidence boost and all the other benefits of doing something out in the world.

I don't recognise the awful pictures people paint of the Jobcentre and DWP, and that's from being on both sides of the desk. Many of the 'horror stories' I read conjure up vivid memories of rude, aggressive and arrogant jobseekers who saw themselves as VIPs because they'd been employed in professional occupations. "Don't you know who I am?" sort of stuff. There are good and bad advisors, but lots of them are actually quite passionate about helping people in your situation.

pmduk

marliepanda wrote: »

The people who give that impression of DWP staff tend to be the ones who give the DWP every reason to kick them off. I have been out of work a few times in my life and claimed JSA. I have never been treated badly, I have never been kicked off my benefit (as I looked for jobs and attended appointments)

I'll second this, I've never had anything, but help and assistance from them. They pointed me to an amazing volunteer scheme which had some long-lasting results.

agrinnall

UnemployableUKchap wrote: »

The problem is, I seem to be fundamentally unemployable. I do not think it would be an exaggeration to state that I have a better chance of winning the lottery than landing the most menial, entry-level job possible. In addition to my aforementioned lack of experience and dismal people skills, I also have no references or work-related qualifications. I do not have BTECs, NVQs, A levels or any other vocational qualifications. I only have GCSEs, which don't appear to be enough on their own.

I think you have convinced yourself of this, when it's just not true. There are plenty of minimum wage jobs that don't require any more than GCSEs (some won't even ask for those). It's not clear that you have ever applied for any of these type of jobs, or if you have what the response has been. While the suggestion of volunteering is a good one, I would combine it with actually trying to get a job rather than sitting at home bemoaning your lack of employability.

katiekittykat

The fact that you only have GCSE's means nothing

I have a very good job, and only have GCSE's and not even good ones so don't worry about that

I think like other said volunteering is a really good idea, as then it will get you used to getting out of the house and meeting people.

Do you have a support worker/social worker you can talk to?

Good luck xx

ssparks2003

I'm sorry but I only have GCSE's, and not that many of them either. I'm also a higher rate taxpayer I got here through bloody hard work. Your perceived lack of education is no reason for sitting on your !!!! letting your life float past. Get up and go and do something, anything. Get a job in the local supermarket, it's a step on the ladder.

dawyldthing

I'm another for volunteering though. A friend of a friend hadn't worked for over 20 years through caring for family members etc. Volunteered with oxfam shops for 6 months, eventually that helped him get a job and he's been there several years

I'm wondering if this is a poster under another new name though

Mr_Noodles

I feel your pain, I have Aspergers too.

From what you've written, you're clearly eloquent and intelligent. You write very well.

I think you definitely need to speak to The National Autistic Society.

I'm concerned that as you've never worked nor claimed benefit you may not be paying national insurance.